Andy Dalton takes a sizable step backwards

After a trio of stellar games from Andy Dalton, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback fell back to earth with a thud in last night’s 22-20 overtime loss at Miami.

The third-year pro had combined 300-plus passing yards with at least three touchdown strikes in each of his last three outings, including a career-high five TD passes in the Bengals 49-9 bashing of the New York Jets last Sunday in Paul Brown Stadium.

Maybe it was just the three days rest, but Dalton completed 32 of 53 passes for 338 yards on Thursday night, with threw interceptions and zero touchdowns. One of the picks was returned 94 yards for a touchdown by Miami’s 5-foot-9 cornerback Brent Grimes.

Dalton also lost the ball on a first-half fumble and was tackled for a safety in overtime which gave the win to the Dolphins.